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CDE urges NDPP panel to rigorously interrogate shortlisted candidates

Ahead of the interviews to determine the next National Director of Public Prosecutions, prominent think tank the Centre for Development and Enterprise wants the advisory panel appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to rigorously interrogate the six shortlisted candidates.

The panel handling the selection process, chaired by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi, will hold interviews on Wednesday and Thursday.

"While the appointment of the NDPP is urgent, a slight delay is preferable to choosing the wrong person," said CDE executive director Ann Bernstein.

In October, Ramaphosa established a panel for the selection of the NDPP, ahead of the end of advocate Shamila Batohi's term of office.

Batohi will be required to vacate her office in January 2026, as she reaches the age of 65.

Last month, the panel announced that it had shortlisted six candidates for the position.

They include former National Prosecuting Authority Investigating Directorate head advocate Hermione Cronje, who is now a freelance international anti-corruption and asset recovery specialist; NPA Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions advocate Nicolette Astraid Bell; NPA ID advocate Andrea Johnson; Global Coalition to Fight Financial Crime chairperson advocate Xolisile Jennifer Khanyile; NPA Western Cape Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions advocate Adrian Carl Mopp; and Johannesburg Society of Advocates' advocate Menzi Simelane.

"This is a position that demands first-rate legal competence, an unshakeable sense of justice, absolute integrity, the thickest possible skin, and the courage to withstand immense political pressure.

"This is not a symbolic post. The NDPP must be a proven manager who can turn a large, struggling institution into an effective one," Bernstein said.

She urged the panel to test whether the candidates would be willing and able to prosecute the powerful, and have the determination, experience and capacity to rebuild the NPA and restore public confidence in the rule of law.

Bernstein stated that South Africans were tired of promises.

"…we need someone who can turn the State capture and corruption cases on the books into convictions in court," she said.

Among other questions, she wants the panel to ask candidates why the NPA failed to secure convictions in major State capture cases since the Zondo Commission.

"Is this because proving these kinds of cases is very hard or because of issues or challenges within the NPA itself? What would you do differently?

"What are the most important reasons for the slow pace or lack of success of the cases through the courts? If you were NDPP, what measures would you put in place to accelerate cases and increase your prosecutorial success rate? In answering the question, assume that there is no significant increase in resources for either the police or the NPA," Bernstein said.

She also wants the panel to ask whether the candidates have any concerns about the extent to which the NPA's decisions to prosecute or not to prosecute are being affected by factors other than the merits of the cases.

"Is the NDPP's independence sufficiently secure or are there reforms you would propose to protect prosecutorial independence more?

"Are there any past relationships, roles or affiliations that could raise questions about your independence, and how will you address them?" she proposed asking.

Bernstein said the panel must ask candidates what managerial and institutional changes they would seek to make to the NPA to improve productivity and strengthen the prosecution service.

"These questions go to the heart of whether a candidate is strong enough, independent enough and experienced enough to turn the NPA around. If the panel cannot get clear, convincing answers to questions like these, the country will once again pay a very high price," she cautioned.

She suggested that should none of the candidates be able to answer th...

South African consumer confidence improves on holiday season optimism

South Africa's consumer confidence improved in the fourth quarter to hit its highest reading for 2025, helped by consumers' appetite to spend into the holiday season, a survey showed on Tuesday.

The consumer confidence index, sponsored by First National Bank and compiled by the Bureau for Economic Research, improved to -9 points from -13 points in the third quarter.

All three sub indices of the index - the economic outlook, household financial outlook and the suitability of the present time to buy durable goods - improved in the final quarter.

"These developments suggest that retail tills will jingle a merry tune during the 2025 festive season, with sales volumes projected to exceed the already jolly numbers recorded during the 2024 holiday period," said FNB Chief Economist Mamello Matikinca Ngwenya.

The survey found that while retail sales growth is still expected to slow year-on-year, the rise in the index, together with employment gains and another interest rate cut, suggests the moderation could be less pronounced than previously expected.

Ngwenya said consumer sentiment toward the end of the year was likely buoyed by a number of other positive developments, apart from a further interest rate cut and an appreciation in the rand exchange rate.

The positive developments include a 47-cent per-liter decrease in petrol prices between August and November, food inflation slowing to 3.9% in October from 5.5% in July, and employment rising by 248 000 in the third quarter, according to Matikinca.

South Africa in November secured its first credit rating upgrade in nearly 20 years with the S&P Global raising the country's foreign-currency long-term sovereign rating to "BB" from "BB-". The credit rating agency also said South Africa's GDP growth will pick up to 1.1% in 2025 after a subdued 0.5% in 2024.

'Safety of women, children is everybody's business' - Ramaphosa

As South Africa continues to observe 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed disappointment at the high levels of violence against women and girls, stating that a national disaster demanded a national response.

Last month, government called for "exceptional measures" in this endeavour.

Ramaphosa called on communities, civil society, government, faith leaders, business, unions and citizens to play their part in ending GBV.

"We must be part of dismantling the attitudes that sustain violence against women and children by our own actions. We must report such crimes instead of looking away or regarding it as not our business.

"The safety and security of women and children is everybody's business. Let us continue to work together as all of society to realise a society free from gender-based violence and femicide," he stated.

Ramaphosa pointed out that the classification of GBVF as a national disaster enabled faster emergency resource allocation for survivor services, enhanced monitoring and reporting mechanisms, and strengthened oversight.

There will be expanded access to shelters, safe spaces, psycho-social counselling and community-based prevention programmes.

He pointed to the 2022 National GBV Study conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council, which revealed that more than 35% of South African women aged 18 and older had experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. In most of these cases the perpetrator was an intimate partner, he said.

"The HSRC study was the first of its kind to provide the baseline data needed to support our efforts to combat GBVF. It was mandated by the National Strategic Plan (NSP) that emanated from the first Presidential Summit on GBVF we convened in 2018," he explained.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Ramaphosa characterised violence against women as a second pandemic.

"…but its impacts are arguably even more corrosive. GBV destroys families, has an economic cost, causes instability and fear for women and girls, and reproduces inter-generational trauma," he said.

Ramaphosa said classification as a national disaster strengthened the mandates of the respective government departments, such as Social Development, Justice and Constitutional Development, Health, Police and Basic Education, to tackle GBVF.

Ramaphosa said all affected organs of State would be required to submit progress reports to the National Disaster Management Centre on the actions they were taking.

Government would also be accelerating prevention programmes targeting men and boys, he stressed.

"I have called for a concerted, sustained nationwide programme of dialogues with men and boys to engage openly on what is driving this pandemic, and what must be done to arrest it.

"We must engage honestly about the toxic masculinity, cultural norms, peer pressure, social dynamics and socialisation that is turning men and boys into abusers of women and children," he said.

Ramaphosa highlighted that even as government had made progress on the NSP, implementation remained uneven.

"By classifying GBVF as a national disaster, we will be able to speed up resource allocation and funding flows to support survivors and improve access to justice. We will be able to support law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to expedite the management and processing of GBVF-related cases," he said.

Encouraging signs in South Africa's economy, but more to be done - BLSA

Last week's GDP figures for the third quarter confirmed that the country is seeing green shoots emerging in the economy, business organisation Business Leadership South Africa CEO Busi Mavuso highlights in her latest newsletter.

"The 2.1% year-on-year growth surprised economists and has triggered many to revise upward their forecasts for the full year from the previous consensus of around 1.2%. We should now beat that by a reasonable margin. Of course, this is still far below the meaningful growth we need to turn around unemployment, but it is a clear step in the right direction," she explains.

The figures showed a quarterly improvement in investment, which Mavuso asserts is key to meaningfully expanding the economy.

"Within that was a modest improvement in public sector spending on investment, which has been particularly weak. That enabled the first overall increase in investment since mid-2023. To be clear, investment levels at 13.7% of GDP are still far too low, but it was positive to see the modest recovery," she points out.

Mavuso says the GDP outcome adds another positive sentiment driver, following improvements in fiscal performance reported in the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement, and the credit rating upgrade by S&P.

"This is beginning to feed into business sentiment and, last week, we saw business confidence climb five points in the Rand Merchant Bank/Bureau for Economic Research survey for the fourth quarter, turning around two consecutive declines. The improvement in confidence was broad-based across sectors, which is particularly encouraging," she enthuses.

Manufacturing confidence rose considerably after three consecutive quarters of decline, reaching its highest level since 2022, which Mavuso highlights as notable owing to it being employment-intensive.

Retail confidence also increased considerably, with sales volumes holding up well, suggesting consumer spending has momentum heading into 2026, Mavuso indicates.

"The agricultural sector is also feeling more positive, with the Agbiz/Industrial Development Corporation Agribusiness Confidence Index for the quarter having risen five points. What we need to see now is production catching up with sentiment," Mavuso stresses.

Despite this momentum, credit ratings agency Moody's last week announced it was keeping its rating unchanged, maintaining its cautious stance on South Africa's growth trajectory.

Moody's acknowledged the improved fiscal performance but pointed to persistent structural challenges: State-owned enterprises remain financially weak, growth projections are modest, infrastructure continues to age and the labour market stays under pressure, Mavuso outlines.

The agency says it will upgrade if the country achieves sustained improvements in economic growth driven by electricity and logistics reforms, alongside higher investment levels. Conversely, any setbacks in structural reforms could trigger a downgrade.

"The changes Moody's says will cause it to upgrade are exactly what organised business is striving to achieve in partnership with government.

"It is critical that we follow through on concluding reforms of the electricity sector, particularly the unbundling of the independent grid operator and the implementation of a truly competitive electricity market where traders can buy from multiple generators and sell to multiple customers, creating genuine price competition that drives down costs," Mavuso emphasises.

She also calls for efforts in the logistics sector, especially the concessioning of rail and port facilities to private operators who can invest and provide competition.

"So, while Moody's caution is understandable, the evidence of increasing momentum is growing. The green shoots we're seeing in GDP, investment, and business confidence can take root - but only if we ensure that translates into actual growth-enhancing changes," Mavuso highlights.

She calls for utility Eskom ...

White supremacy notion threatens South Africa's sovereignty, president says

Ideas of white racial superiority are a threat to South Africa's post-apartheid unity, its sovereignty and its diplomatic relations, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday, calling for global efforts to debunk false stories about white persecution.

Ramaphosa was speaking at a conference of the co-ruling African National Congress, the party of Nelson Mandela that defeated racist white minority rule in South Africa three decades ago.

"Some in our society still adhere to notions of racial superiority and seek to maintain racial privilege," Ramaphosa said, adding that their views "conveniently align with wider notions of white supremacy and white victimhood fed by false claims of the persecution of white Afrikaners (descendants of mostly Dutch settlers) in our country."

Two weeks ago, US President Donald Trump boycotted a Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg, alleging without evidence that South Africa mistreats its white minority, and that white farmers were "being killed and slaughtered, and their land and farms are being illegally confiscated".

The US administration was furious that the hosts went ahead and secured a G20 declaration anyway, and said South Africa would be excluded from the next one, to be held in the US.

Though widely debunked, the notion that South Africa's white minority is suffering a "genocide" has been circulating in far-right and white supremacist chat rooms for years, where aggrieved white nationals have sought support from some US Republicans and the European right for their cause.

In February, Trump gave it as a reason for cutting development aid to South Africa.

"These false claims (have) ... real implications for our sovereignty, international relations and national security," Ramaphosa said. "A campaign ... needs to be launched not only in our country, but globally ... to address (them)."

The US is South Africa's third most important export market after the European Union and China. Trump's administration has imposed a 30% import tariff on its goods, resisting South African attempts to have it reduced.

"Our government is continuing to engage the United States in negotiations to reach a trade agreement that benefits both countries," Ramaphosa said. "At the same time, we have had to accelerate diversification of our export markets."

South Africa's manufacturing confidence improves in fourth quarter despite ongoing challenges

Business confidence in South Africa's manufacturing sector rose significantly in the fourth quarter, according to the latest Absa Manufacturing Survey, signalling cautious optimism among manufacturers even as the sector continues to face substantial pressures.

The survey, conducted between November 10 and 24 in partnership with the Bureau for Economic Research (BER) at Stellenbosch University, shows the business confidence index increasing by 16 points from the third quarter to 39 points.

While still below levels recorded in the fourth quarter of 2024, respondents cited improved domestic sales, stronger domestic and export orders, and an increase in production capacity as positive developments. Selling prices remained stable, while the total cost of production per unit decreased, with the relevant index falling from 61 points to 47 points quarter-on-quarter.

"Following a challenging year for manufacturers, underpinned by significantly constrained demand, it is encouraging to see some of the key indicators turn and allow manufacturers to adopt a more positive forward-looking view.

"Another interest rate cut, a well-received medium term budget speech, South Africa's removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list and the S&P credit rating upgrade are some of the key developments that impacted sentiment during the quarter," Absa Business Banking sector specialist for manufacturing Sachin Chanderdhev said.

The survey reflects feedback from about 700 manufacturing businesses across various subsectors, with the confidence index ranging from 0, indicating no confidence, to 100, representing extreme confidence.

Respondents in the chemicals, wood and metals industries contributed most to the overall positive shift, with respective confidence scores of 62, 56 and 33.

Conversely, food and beverages and transport reported declines in confidence, falling by 3 and 18 points, respectively.

Manufacturers of consumer, intermediate and capital goods all demonstrated improvements in their business confidence scores. However, the indicator for realised export sales declined across most subsectors, highlighting ongoing volatility in global trading conditions despite slight improvements in orders.

Chanderdhev noted that, if prevailing economic conditions were maintained, consumer demand was expected to improve, which would support further growth in business confidence. He also highlighted rising electricity costs as an ongoing challenge, prompting manufacturers to consider adjustments to their energy supply mix, including investments in renewable-energy sources.

"While manufacturers continue to build resilience into their operations, it is significant to observe the positive sentiment towards fixed investment into machinery and equipment over the next 12 months, as this should result in new capacity and/or increased efficiencies within the sector," Chanderdhev said.

The improved confidence reported in the Absa quarterly survey contrasts with results from the latest Absa Purchasing Managers' Index, which recorded a sharp decline of 7.2 points to 42 in November, signalling a renewed contraction in manufacturing activity.

Both business activity and new sales orders deteriorated meaningfully, suggesting that while confidence has improved, a sustained recovery in production and demand will be necessary to validate this optimism.

Home Affairs extends operating hours over festive season

The Department of Home Affairs offices will operate until 18:00 from December 8 to 19 and January 5 to 16 for applications and document collection.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber said the additional 2 hours of operation formed part of "continued commitment".

Schreiber pointed out that services offered during the extended hours would be available at offices equipped to process smart ID cards and passports.

He advised clients to book application or collection appointments before visiting offices, using the Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS), available on the Home Affairs website.

"…those without a booking may still visit offices as walk-ins," he added.

"With our offices operating on extended hours ahead of and during the festive season, I encourage South Africans to make use of the longer opening hours to ensure that their essential documents are up to date, including travel documents," he said.

Last month, Schreiber officially launched the Travel Ready Campaign, at the new Baywest Mall Home Affairs office in Gqeberha, in the Eastern Cape.

Loyiso Masuku replaces Dada Morero as ANC Joburg chair

Loyiso Masuku has been elected as the African National Congress (ANC) Johannesburg region chairperson, replacing Dada Morero.

The party held day two of its sixteenth Johannesburg regional conference in Sandton, on Thursday.

Masilo Serekele was elected the new regional deputy chairperson; Sasabona Manganye is the new secretary; Lerato Bob is the regional deputy secretary and Maxwell Nedzamba is the regional treasurer.

The ANC underwent a significant leadership reconfiguration in Gauteng, earlier this year, led by the National Executive Committee, to improve organisational effectiveness, strengthen community ties, and prepare for the 2026 local elections.

It said its aim was to bring in experienced leaders and veterans into restructured Provincial Executive Committees and regional structures.

This move, the party said, would assist with party renewal and electoral preparedness, "integrating new and old faces to rebuild the movement".

DA wants MKP investigated in Russia saga with 'new evidence'

The Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Thursday that it wants the South African Police Service (Saps) investigation into the recruiting and trafficking of South African men into the Russian war effort in Ukraine to include all implicated uMkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP) structures and individuals, including party President Jacob Zuma and his daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.

DA Spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans Chris Hattingh pointed to recent media reporting which revealed that young South African men were allegedly charged R20 000 for supposed travel and training, only to be sent directly into the Russia-Ukraine war.

Last week, the DA laid criminal charges against Zuma-Sambudla, for her alleged role in the recruitment.

The charges included human trafficking, contraventions of South Africa's anti-mercenary legislation and additional offences that the Saps is now investigating.

She resigned from Parliament amid the allegations.

Hattingh said according to the recent media article, the invoices for payment were issued through individuals linked to the MK Party.

"If true, this paid recruitment pipeline represents a serious criminal and national-security concern," he said.

Hattingh explained that the report implicates Zuma and Zuma-Sambudla, in communications and logistics for the trips.

The DA said it will also ask the Parliament's Ethics Committee to expedite its probe into Zuma-Sambudla's involvement in the war recruitment claims.

"If a registered political party is involved in crime, it can be investigated, prosecuted, deregistered by the Independent Electoral Commission, and deprived of public funding.

"Leaders can be criminally charged, with assets frozen. A party found guilty of human trafficking or illegal recruitment can be dissolved. South Africa cannot allow a former President and his party to run an off-the-books war recruitment network," said Hattingh.

Meanwhile, last week the DA said it would pursue an urgent joint committee meeting to determine what Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco), Defence Intelligence and the State Security Agency (SSA) knew, and what actions they took.

"We will also escalate pressure on government to immediately begin the process of repatriating the 17 South Africans still trapped in an active Russian warzone. Above all, the DA will ensure that every individual responsible for the recruitment, deception and trafficking of these men is held fully accountable under South African law," Hattingh said.

Ramaphosa pays tribute to former Sars Commissioner

Following the passing of former South African Revenue Service (Sars) Commissioner Oupa Magashula, President Cyril Ramaphosa is remembering him as an "astute, compassionate leader who devoted his life to the development of the country's economy and the stimulation of entrepreneurship among a new business generation".

Magashula, aged 63 passed away after an extended period of illness and hospitalisation. He held office between 2009 and 2013.

Ramaphosa said Magashula's mission at Sars was driven by the needs of vulnerable South Africans and the requirements for economic growth.

In his early career, Magashula worked as a trade unionist before joining the corporate sector and then Sars.

Following his Sars tenure, he held various leadership roles in business.

"He led Sars at a critical period during which the economy was affected by the global downturn of 2008 but during which we also relied on fiscal resources to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup," said Ramaphosa.

He noted that Magashula went on to contribute to growth through his roles as chair or director of diverse businesses that benefited from his "intellect, varied professional experience and commitment" to a better South Africa.

Ramaphosa offered his condolences to the family and friends of Magashula.

"President Ramaphosa's thoughts are with the Magashula family, as well as friends and associates of the former Commissioner," said Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.